So Pat has been busy since he got laid off…. the dining room is coming along and should be finished soon. He is partly done putting in the laminate flooring, so we moved the table and crate back onto the new part, so he could finish the rest.

Last night we are sitting in living room watching TV, and I hear this sound — kind of like a penny dropping on the laminate. Brian’s floor is also laminate downstairs, so I thought he was doing something in his room. Well, after a few minutes the sound continued. Then it stopped……. then it happened again. It stopped…. happened again… you get the idea.

I jokingly yell “Fee, you’d better not be in the dog food!.” It’s quiet, then we hear the noise again! Pat slowly gets up and creeps over to the hall, and with the new cutout in the dining room, he can see right in there.

There is Fiona, with the new bag of dog food on top of the crate at “half-mast”, gently nudging the bag and watching as a few pieces fall out! She proceeds to clean those up, head goes up, nudges, the next few fall out, and you can see the cycle [LOL].

We moved the bag of food, and her lovely game came to an end. Guess she likes the new food ok! We just changed to a no grain kibble called Taste of The Wild…..

Val

Having a lovely phone conversation last night…checking up on impending arrivals, etc… dogs are outside wandering around. I am standing next to the kitchen sink where I can see out the window into the back yard. All of a sudden I see a shadow, then wings and say… “what the heck is that?!”

It was a turkey! It flew over the fence and into the backyard! It was huge. Well I hang up, run outside to see what the dogs were
doing, and they are just wandering around, not doing much of anything. I guess they scared the turkey off.

We have a flock that lives in the woods across the road but have never had them in the yard like that.

Who you callin’ a turkey!

Val

I’ve decided that living in this house and my body are very similar — I never know when there will be plumbing problems; things that are supposed to work, don’t work as well; there is always something that needs to be fixed; there are a lot more creaks and groans than there used to be; and it takes a LOT more money to make the outside look presentable!

Val

Enough already!

Finally had 10 minutes to sit down and relax before I start drying Fee. She was running around, after her roll on my bed, and I kept hearing this funny noise. She came into the living room, laid down on the dog bed, and I heard the noise again. Something was bothering her, because when I heard the noise she would jump up and run around again.

I looked at her closely and there peeking out from her tail was….. no, it couldn’t be! My hair brush!! When she was on the bed, rolling around, her tail must have flipped inside my suitcase (which was closed but not zipped, since I am not done packing), caught the brush, and she had been wearing it ever since.

Now, how to get it off?! She ran for her crate and hid. I pretended to do something in the kitchen, and she ran and hid in that crate! Every time I got close she would run again. I HAD to get that off. I followed her into the bedroom, and then crawled into her crate as much as I could (not a pretty picture for anyone coming into the room!) It was dark (she has a small Vari-kennel that she loves — she likes caves) and small and every time I managed to get some of the hair off, she would shift and it would get caught again. This is a round brush, and hair can wind right around those bristles. As I expanded my vocabulary, I very carefully kept easing hair off of the bristles, trying to keep the brush high enough so that it wouldn’t catch again!

I think she may be missing a little hair, but there were finally only a few strands left and I gave it a quick yank and it was off. I am exhausted [LOL].

Now if we were trying to get her to do that, it would never work!

Of course now she won’t come near me to get her hair dried, so I will have to figure out a new trick to get her near the grooming table. I hate it when my dogs are smarter than me!

Val

The dogs were outside enjoying the spring weather while I was cleaning the living room. I let them all in, except of course Miss Fee, who requires an engraved invitation, hand delivered. I went outside, calling her name, but couldn’t see her. Small moment of Panic!

Then I looked towards the fence at the front of the house and there in the MIDDLE of the bushes was Fee. She was stuck!! She had gone in and somehow gotten herself into the middle of the thick limbs and couldn’t get out. Once she saw me, she started pulling and struggling and then popped out!

She was covered in pine needles and looked a little scared… that bush attacked her!

Poor thing — last summer and fall, she could fit right inside there and hide with no problems. Growing up is not all that much fun. She can’t fit under the end table or the rocking chair anymore. To fit in the closet she has to bend her body and her tail sticks out. And now this!! She hopes that things improve!

Val
www.avalonbeardies.com

Ok, I know Trav has been in testosterone land, but I have NEVER seen this before! They just had their dinner, and he cleaned his bowl, then peed in it?!!!!

That’s one way to make sure nobody takes your stuff!

Val

Just an update…

Last Friday we decided to go down to a show in Springfield. The
thought of 3 hours with poor Fiona being sick didn’t appeal to me
very much! On the “big ” Beardie list, someone recommended Dramamine
for a carsick Beardie. Well, it was worth a shot, so we got some. They
had used the children’s dose, but they had more than one! Always
erring on the side of caution, I gave her half a pill before we left
in the morning.

We did pretty good for about 2 hours, then noticed the drooling, and
then “URP!” We pulled over, cleaned things up, and made it to the show ok.

Fiona had never been to an inside show before and she did remarkably
well!! She only barked once in her crate and that is when she was
getting funny looks from another female dog. Fee set her straight.
While I was working on her Dad, she even zonked out for a nap.
She walked nicely around the building a few times, although she
wasn’t sure about all those little yappy dogs [LOL]. We worked on
“watch me” and I led her right past them. Nothing seemed to upset
her (including the hair dryers!) and she even did some moving for me
and baited for a stand. Since we took her to socialize and get used
to all that, it was extremely successful. I guess the good genes
have been passed on — good job, Traveler!

So a half hour before we are to leave, I decide to give her a whole
tablet of Dramamine. It worked!! Every once in a while she would
drool a tiny amount, but no “urping”, and it was a much nicer trip
home. Good thing because the traffic was so bad it took 4 hours, not
three to get there!

We are looking forward to getting her in the ring — she has been
getting so many nice compliments out of it [LOL].

Val
www.avalonbeardies. com

Starring…. …….Fiona
Supporting Players…Mom and Dad

It was a day like any other, sun peeking through the clouds, kids
off to school, that kind of thing. Nothing to suggest that it would
be… unusual.

I went about my business in the morning, doing a little work and
sweeping cut grass and fallen leaves OUT of the house. Soon it was
time to feed the Hairy Horde that follows me around all day (until I
want them, then they vanish like a magician’s trick).

So I start gathering bowls and warming up a little treat to mix in
with the kibble…..ok, 1 bowl, 2 bowls, 3 bowls…..where is the
other bowl? We look under chairs, tables, etc, then just grab an
extra bowl kept for shows so we can get the feeding thing done (they
do stand there with pitiful looks on their faces till the food is ready).

We repeat the process the next morning, but the mystery of the
elusive bowl doesn’t leave our minds. I decide to move a few things
around in the living room(our family was born with a decorating
gene-we move furniture around when we get bored) and see if perhaps
we missed it earlier.

HMMM….after a morning of shifting furniture ,
sweeping under things, and peering into corners, still no bowl! I
even checked the bathtub, Fiona’s new playhouse. It didn’t get
kicked outside by accident, it’s not in the back hall….ok, now this
is really bugging me! It can’t just vanish!

I decide that we need help from a Higher Source. I stand in the
kitchen and start “channelling” Fiona….(.I have the bowl in my
mouth, I move down the hallway….. …) and then in the next instant
my eyes pop open and say to my husband, “did you check your closet?”
He gives me a “look” (I’m used to that) but he dutifully goes into
the bedroom and looks in his closet. And here he comes with the
missing bowl! Daddy’s side of the closet is one of her hiding
places, but she has never carried anything in there before, so we
didn’t check it.

Guess the moral is “Be the Beardie….think like the Beardie….< LOL>
OHM…

Val

A ray of sunlight peeks into my bedroom and slowly teases me awake. I start to emerge from the fog that is my brain, and gently stretch my arms and legs. The birdcalls can be heard through the slightly open window, lilting and welcoming in the early morning.
I slowly get out of bed and do what needs to be done [g], then make some tea. It is quiet and meditative and the perfect way to start the day………

Ok, you MUST know by now that this is my fantasy way to wake up. I am not sure if I ever remember waking this way, but hey, a girl can dream! This is how it usually goes:

I start to surface from my sleep, realize it’s morning already and fake being asleep a little while longer. If Trav thinks I am awake, he will start wagging and then everyone will know “SHE’S UP”. Sometimes he will check on me by sticking his nose in my face and sniffing me. I just keep my eyes shut and breath slow. So when I’m ready, I get up, stretch my sore muscles from where some little girl dog bounced on me the day before (not naming any names — FIONA) and head for the bathroom. Heaven forbid I should shut the door! I might escape out the window then what would they all do?! I do what I need to do and stumble into the kitchen. Fee (who will give a polite little “yip” if I take too long) is in her crate, waiting for FOOD!!! Half asleep, I pick up bowls, dole out food and put everyone’s bowls in the proper places. (Fee in her crate, Maddie near her, Mac next to the kitchen counter, Traveler by the hall — do not vary — they will get very confused). I have to stand next to Mac, because he finishes first, and will go after Traveler’s food. Fee is done and waiting to be let out of her crate to clean all of the other bowls. (which is what Mac likes to do) Everyone finishes eating, Traveler barks and grabs a toy to take outside, Mac is running around barking (it’s a new thing, we don’t know why — he doesn’t even go out most of the time) and I try to get them all outside to start the potty dance.

So out we go (did I mention that I look lovely, with my bed head hair, pajama bottoms, t-shirt and old hoodie ?) and now we have to start the next phase…”HURRY UP” . Don’t you think they would know that they have to potty?

“HurryupgopottycomeonnowhurryupyouguysIneedmytealet’sgo! This is repeated as long as necessary. Sometimes Fee won’t go till I start to get the scooper out and pretend to clean the yard. It’s like a light goes on…. (oh yeah, I need to do something to help) and then she goes. The others wander, do their thing and then sometimes the girls will start to wrestle. OK, good, we are all set! In we go.

It’s not over. I make my tea, grab a bowl of cereal and sit down to watch the news(it sounds better then “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”). Maddie picks this time (EVERY MORNING) to play “I’m better than you are because I have what you want.” It’s her favorite game. Maddie lays on the couch with a bone or toy and waits for Fiona to come and look at her. The two girls will start barking at each other over and over and over till they get distracted or I have a hissy fit. At some point the game moves to the floor where, at least it’s quieter, and they proceed to wrestle like they are trying out for WWF. Then one of them will come and stand in front of me, smiling, and the game continues outside.

Now all of this takes place in about an hour, sometimes a little longer depending on how long the game has gone on. It’s always shorter on Wednesdays. That’s trash day and Fee doesn’t like the trash truck noise, so she goes and waits in the closet and falls asleep. She doesn’t panic or anything, just waits patiently…

So, as I sit and ponder our morning ritual, I guess it could be worse……..wait, I’m thinking…no really, give me a minute. I guess stumbling into the day, loved and appreciated is ok. Laughing at things some people wouldn’t get, and being in the fresh air, seeing the sun hit the trees and grass, turning them into jewels is not a bad way to begin the day. Watching those furry bodies glide across the grass is so lovely to see, heads up, moving with purpose-it can be a joy all its own.

We all have our morning rituals…mine just involve four hairy, noisy, loving dogs who think they are smarter than me. But then I AM getting THEIR breakfast….. .hmmmmm.

Val

…a puppy named Fiona.

It is hard to remember when Fee WASN’T here (although I do seem to remember it being quieter!). She has invaded…. I mean, settled in nicely. Miss Fiona is so smart that it requires a new level of understanding just to keep up with her. This could be a bad thing.

She is quick to learn what the other dogs teach (like…let’s bark at Mac when he is into something, or hey, how about a hole right here?!) but does pick up many things on her own.

She will put paws up on whatever she can reach, just to make sure there is not some treasure that MUST be hers to investigate. Last night she decided it was 2 stuffed sheep on a stand in the living room and she kept barking at them — must have been something they said. You should have seen her eyes last night when Mac decided to clean a bowl left in the sink. They clearly lit up and her expression was priceless (”hey, I didn’t know we could do that!”) Alas, she is not tall enough for that yet.

She will bring us a toy and drop it at our feet, waiting for us to play. She loves to fetch (at least a few times before she moves on to something else) and doesn’t care what it is, as long as we throw it for her. If we ignore her, we get a one-bark warning [g].

She has learned that if people are eating and watching tv, you wait till they get up then check their chairs! Sometimes if you are lucky you find crumbs, and if you can flip the cushions, you may find all kinds of things! She got that in one day of watching Mac. It’s a public service.

After the initial “ignoring her very existence period,” Maddie has decided that Fee is hers. No sharing, no one else allowed to play with her, that’s it. They will wrestle and play for a while then stand in front of me with “that” look — we want to do this outside. So off they go outside to continue the game. Sometimes one of them will grab a stick or frisbee and wave it in front of the other (Maddie ’s FAVORITE game in the world). Again, this goes on for a while till they tire of that and then move on to the next thing…DIGGING. (That is not my favorite thing). Fee has taken to digging in a big way. She will come in with black face and feet, very proud of herself. They now have a “fort” way in the back yard that I MUST check out before they dig to China… or South Portland, whichever comes first.

Fee is doing well on the grooming table. She will stand and let me brush her and clean up what needs to be cleaned, do her nails and ears… all the fun stuff. I do a little stacking and she will hold for a few seconds — normal for her age. We also work on “stand” when she gets a treat, but I don’t think she has made the connection yet (although I always make sure she is standing first). Of course, Maddie is so smart that all I have to say is either “stand” or “fix your feet” and she comes running. LOL. Maddie has one of the biggest vocabularies of any dog I have had.

When we first got Fee, I tried not to do too many of the “oh she is just like her Dad” things. I wanted her to be her, not a copy of someone else. No worries on that count! She does do things that remind me of Traveler, but also Mac and Mira, and other times she reminds me of Gracie and Cher. Now some of them live here, some don’t, and Mira and Cher have moved on altogether, so it’s not like she can copy what they do. Fiona is truly a little bit of all of our Beardies. And then she is herself…. feisty, spirited, sweet, lovely, silly, and probably more than I bargained for.

But aren’t they all?

We are off to shows tomorrow and she will go along for the ride so to speak (poor dear can make it an hour before her food revisits — she won’t be happy about not eating in the morning). She has been doing a fabulous job at shows, learning to walk nicely on lead, greeting everyone, and showing an interest in just about everything. She hangs out in the ex-pen, watching all that goes on, a perfect little Beardie girl. It is good experience for her, hearing all of the hair dryers, the noise, the barking, and all that goes along with being a “show girl.” I think she will adapt to that easily, just as she has everything else….

Off to see what the Precious Gem is into now. Her newest thing is trying to get the lining off the box spring from under the bed. No chewing on chairs or getting into toilet paper for her anymore- she is moving on to bigger and better things.

Save me….

Val